Applications are now open—but closing soon—for the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) Climate-Agricultural Reporting Training 2026. The CJID invites journalists, editors, and civil society communicators based in Nigeria to join a two-day virtual training and story lab. Applications run until March 16, 2026. This program builds skills in reporting on climate change and agriculture amid floods, droughts, and other threats. Smallholder farmers produce 60-70% of Nigeria’s food, yet they face huge risks from these changes.
Smallholder farmers produce 60-70% of Nigeria’s food supply.
Key Takeaways
- Smallholder farmers produce 60-70% of Nigeria’s food but face big risks from floods, droughts, and pests due to climate change.
- The CJID training helps journalists build skills in investigative reporting on climate impacts to agriculture and policy solutions.
- Eligible applicants are Nigerian media workers with experience in investigative or data journalism who commit to publishing stories.
- Benefits include two-day virtual training, expert mentorship, publishing support, grants, and network access.
Climate change hits Nigeria’s farms hard. Floods wash away crops and homes. Droughts leave fields dry and barren. Desertification turns land into dust. Pest outbreaks destroy harvests. Food prices swing wild, making meals harder to afford. These problems make life tough for farmers who feed most of the country.
Program Overview
The training falls under CJID’s Agricultural Reporting and Climate Change Project. It focuses on investigative and community-centered reporting. Participants learn to cover how climate change affects farm output and public policy. The goal is better, data-driven stories that spotlight solutions.
Eligibility Criteria
Journalists can quickly check if they qualify with this list. Applicants must meet these points:
- Be based in Nigeria and work for a credible media outlet with national or sub-regional reach.
- Have proven experience in investigative, accountability, or data journalism.
- Show interest and experience in agriculture, climate, or development reporting.
- Commit to producing and publishing stories on time.
Application Process
Time-sensitive applicants love bullets for fast reading. Here’s how to apply before the March 16, 2026 deadline:
- Open to reporters, editors, and media-focused civil society groups with public interest reporting experience.
- Joint applications welcome, up to three per team.
- Submit a climate-agriculture story pitch using the CJID pitch template.
- Newsroom applications go through an editor or manager.
- Freelancers must link to past published work.
- Complete the official Google application form.
- For teams, only the lead applicant attends the virtual training.
Benefits
These perks draw strong applicants. The program offers:
- A two-day intensive training on climate-agriculture reporting.
- Mentorship from investigative journalism experts.
- Editorial help to polish and publish stories.
- Commissioning grants for top investigative reports.
- Entry to CJID’s Climate-Agriculture Reporting Network.
Female journalists and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Climate Impacts in Nigerian Agriculture
This table sums up key threats at a glance. It pulls from real challenges in Nigeria’s farms.
| Impact | Description | Effect on Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| Floods | Heavy rains overflow rivers and fields | Crops lost, homes damaged, food shortages |
| Droughts | Long dry spells with no rain | Fields crack, yields drop sharply |
| Desertification | Soil turns to sand, loses fertility | Land unusable for planting |
| Pest Outbreaks | Bugs and diseases spread fast | Harvests ruined, income vanishes |
| Food Price Volatility | Prices jump due to low supply | Families struggle to buy basics |
For More Information
Published March 26, 2026. Note: The March 16, 2026 deadline has passed. Still, check the official application form for updates or future calls.
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The CJID Climate-Agricultural Reporting Training 2026 equipped Nigerian journalists with vital skills to cover climate threats to farming, but the March 16 deadline has passed. Smallholder farmers, who supply most of Nigeria’s food, still need strong stories on floods, droughts, and solutions. Check the official form for future opportunities and keep reporting on these key issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the CJID Climate-Agricultural Reporting Training?
Journalists, editors, and civil society communicators based in Nigeria with experience in investigative, accountability, or data journalism and interest in agriculture or climate reporting.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline was March 16, 2026, and applications are now closed, but check the official form for updates.
What benefits does the program offer?
It provides two-day virtual training, mentorship, editorial support, commissioning grants, and entry to the Climate-Agriculture Reporting Network.
How do climate changes affect Nigerian farmers?
Floods destroy crops and homes, droughts cut yields, desertification ruins soil, pests wipe out harvests, and food prices rise sharply.
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